Introduction

It had been 15 minutes since my conversation with Big Bro, and since that last conversation, I was only just realizing that I had failed to extract anything useful. Looking back on it now, that information transfer thing with the burning headache was very useful—not that I wanted to feel it again—but now I could theoretically communicate. It would be a complete nightmare if I couldn't talk to others and had to learn a new language from scratch. But could I read and write?

I tried focusing on anything that could be writing to see if I could understand it. Though I couldn't move from the bed, which made my search for any words or numbers difficult. I felt a strange warmth with a prickling sensation on my lower back. Is this what acupuncture feels like?

I started thinking about my situation. Since this was some sort of transmigration novel world right out of a fantasy story, there might be magic, which could be interesting. But that wouldn't matter unless I could move. I had two extremely important missions: number one, figure out info about where I had been transported and the world's details—because what if it's a world from a place I recognize? Then I would have meta-knowledge and be OP. And number two, the most important thing—figure out how to fix my legs.

"CreeeehACK!"

As if on cue with my last thought, my lower back—as if freed by a heavenly chiropractor—suddenly cracked. I felt no pain, only relief. It felt satisfying, like relieving yourself after holding in a piss for hours. It may sound crude, but it was strikingly similar.

Stretching forward and putting my hands on my back, I came to an exciting and relieving conclusion—I could feel the spot where I was touching! I was no longer a cripple! My legs slowly moved to my will. I don't know how I got into this state, but thanks to my strange body, I am able to move now.

"Bro, if you are listening, I apologize for calling you a bastard earlier."

Did he do something to heal me? It's possible.

I think he is trustworthy at least for now.

I could hear a parade of footsteps growing louder as they approached the entrance of my room.

"Banggg!"

The door's hinges were nearly ripped off by a tearful teenage girl with very pale skin. Ivory-white hair that fell loosely around her shoulders, and her blood-red irises stood out strikingly. Her canines were so prominent that you would wonder if they were fangs. That can't be a normal eye color. Her whole appearance screamed vampire.

"You're awake!"

She dived at me with an enthusiasm that could only be seen between close friends or lovers. I purposely fell off the bed to dodge what could have easily knocked the wind out of me. Seeing me evade her first attack, she quickly prepared for a second one.

"Stop," I gasped, breathing heavily from the sudden movement. "What are you doing? Who are you?"

Looking puzzled and a little hurt, the vampire mumbled, "Benefactor… is that supposed to be a joke? Because I don't understand."

At the same time, three new people entered the room.

One was Blondie, who had an upbeat but slightly guilty expression—just like before. Another, coming in behind him, was a middle-aged woman with sharp brown eyes and black hair tied in a bun. She wore a black kimono and carried what looked like a sheathed katana. She glanced in my direction with a look of disdain. Was she looking at me or the vampire?

Okay, this is either a fantasy world or some really elaborate cosplay.

And finally, the last guest—a jacked elderly man, maybe in his late 50s or early 60s. He had short brown hair starting to gray, but his muscles—they were huge, rippling with veins. He had a melancholic look on his face. This guy could probably dominate an arm-wrestling competition.

Why is everyone visiting me? And what am I supposed to say? I thought I had more time to prepare—at least give me an hour. What do I do?

The old man sat on a small sofa next to my bed, gripping the armrests of it tightly.

"I am glad to see you are awake. Kyler, you have been in a coma for around two months. So I will need you to answer some questions. What did this to you?"

Coma?

Quickly rising to my feet, I could feel only my unease and suspicion deepening as Big Bro's words echoed through my mind: ("I'm the strongest person you will ever meet… and the only one you can trust.")

"Who are you people, and how do you know my name?"

"..."

Everyone's expressions grew more confused—except for one person. Blondie. His face looked even more guilty.

Noticing his expression, the vampire, who was crouched on the bed, had a look of growing rage.

"Caesar, what did you do?"

All eyes were suddenly fixed on Blondie.

"..."

With the silence seeming to confirm his guilt, the vampire lunged toward him, her hand reaching for his neck— "Shhhch," Only to be stopped midway by shadows shooting out from the corners of the room, binding her wrists and ankles suspending her midair. The woman, now standing in front of Blondie, had unsheathed her katana and pointed it at the bound vampire.

"I can't let you touch His Highness."

Spitting in anger, the vampire used brute force to tear apart the shadowy restraints and prepared to leap at the woman.

But before either of them could act, the old, ripped man raised a hand.

"Enough."

That single word made the air itself form a visible, transparent barrier.

"Everyone calm down, and let's talk like civilized people."

What is this guy, a Mr. Mime?

Visibly regaining his courage—though still looking guilty—Blondie finally spoke.

"When I found him he was heavily Injured, He told me to use my blessing's ability to fry his brain and erase his memories… He said he had a plan."

Everyone's faces darkened.

The vampire seethed with rage. "Who told you that? And why did you listen to them over your own friend?"

Light tears started to form in Blondie's eyes, streaming down his cheeks. "I know I should have questioned it… I should have refused… but he was adamant, saying it was the only way. It was none other than Kyler himself who asked me to."

This means me and Big bro share the same name. So are we the same person?

The vampire's face was filled with disbelief as her gaze shifted between me and Blondie.

I couldn't stay silent anymore.

"So you're saying that I asked to have my memories removed?"

The two of them turned to me, and then quickly looked away.

How rude. Ignoring me like that.

The old man then turned to Blondie with a deadpan expression. "So why is it that you waited until just now to tell me?"

"I didn't know if it would work… and I didn't expect him to be in a coma for two months. I was going to wait and see if it worked first. If it did, then I would have told you."

Sighing in disapproval, the old man looked away.

"Helloooooo, are you going to keep ignoring me?"

As if he hadn't heard me, the old man prattled on, mumbling to himself.

"This will change things… If he at least remembers some basic knowledge, we can make up a story for his condition. With his letter of recommendation, he should be able to stay in S-Class—even if he flunks the entire 2nd-year entrance exam. At least for the first semester."

Class, entrance exam, and semester, those are words for an Academy troupe aren't they?

"Old man, what are you talking about? I never agreed to school?" He still continued to deny my existence.

For the first time, the woman seemed to join the conversation, her voice filled with curiosity. "What will the story be? Will you tell the truth, say it's a mental disease, or blame it on something to get the students to work harder?"

A look of excitement and mischief showed on the old man's slightly wrinkled face as if he were imagining terrified students training at twice the normal pace.

The vampire interjected with a threatening tone. "You better not make MY benefactor look weak."

"How about I say that an unidentified Deity descended, forcing him into battle? And in the process of driving it back, he lost his memory. After all the place we found him in was practically a crater."

The middle-aged woman scoffed. "Really? A Deity? What about a god or a high-tier magic beast?"

The vampire glared at the woman.

Blondie, as if wanting another chance to speak, hesitated before answering.

"No… I think the principal is right. I haven't even seen the limits of Kyler's strength. For all I know, he could be stronger than my mother… A high-tier magical beast wouldn't stand a chance against him. A god would be more plausible, but since all gods have well-known names and appearances, it would be suspicious if it was an unknown one. So… a deity would be the most plausible."

Deities gods and magical beasts, and they are saying that Big Bro was as strong as a god? I guess he wasn't bluffing about being strong. Since he said god in plural it must be lowercase g. How strong is a god?

The old man, as if satisfied with Caesar's reasoning, gave him a light smile.

"Then… unless there are any objections… it's decided."

These jerks acting like I'm not here. I stood up and dejectedly climbed back into bed.

Remembering the implications of what was said, the vampire mumbled, "Since he doesn't remember, I can redo my first impression." She walked straight up to the foot of the bed, only to see my dejected figure pulling up the covers, pouting. She then started to giggle.

"Hehehehe, Benefactor, you are very cute when you pout."

Cute? It was said by a girl this time, but now it feels like mocking.

"My name is Rebbecca Lance. I owe you a debt that I can never repay. I must ask, do you really not rememb—"

The woman, interrupting Rebecca's statement, looked down at me disdainfully and mockingly added, "Stop acting like a child just 'cause you aren't getting any attention. This whole situation is your fault, to begin with." I could only feel exasperated. 

"My fault?" I sharply sat up and glared at the samurai woman.

Okay, this isn't fair. I was brought here. If it's anyone's fault, it's Big Bro. This is his body, right? Did he want his memories erased so I could take his body? Or did he simply want to restart? I can't trust these people enough to tell them the truth, so I won't argue and will play the part, but when Big Bro gets back, he's got some explaining to do.

Sighing in exasperation, the old man cut in. "Don't be so harsh. There is no point in blaming someone who doesn't remember. He seems to currently have the mental maturity of a 12-year-old. It could be a potential side effect of the memory loss."

"WHAAA!"

I have never heard such a potent unintended insult in my life. I can feel the intangible dagger. I just don't normally talk to people.

In the corner of my eye, I could see the woman holding a hand over her face, her cheeks puffed out, her face red with the intensity of trying not to laugh.

I could tell that my own face was heating up and turning red with embarrassment.

The old man, looking at our faces, had a confused expression as if not understanding our reaction to what he just said.

"Does that mean Benefactor needs someone to monitor him?" the vampire said with a suspicious gleam in her eye as she slowly edged towards me. I instinctively took a step back.

"I'm not a kid, so don't treat me like one."

As if unconvinced, Blondie, who was watching me like an animal in the zoo, self-deprecatingly started to dejectedly mumble, "It's all my fault… I can watch him if need be."

A vein started to pop on my forehead as I felt my blood pressure start to rise, my frustration boiling over.

"You haven't answered a single one of my questions, and all you have done is insult and make decisions for me. Give me one good reason why I should attend this school, 'cause if not, then I don't care if you're an emperor—I'm leaving."

The old man, finally acknowledging me, started to give me a more professional demeanor.

"We have food, clothing, shelter, and entertainment."

Now that I think about it, I don't really have any future plans since being brought here, and being homeless on day one would not be ideal.

"...That's… a fair reason… What kind of entertainment?"

"We boast one of the most expansive and diverse libraries on the continent, as well as host many different competitive sporting events."

"Do you think you can bribe me with such trivial things?"

Looking at me with a deadpan expression and an emotionless face, he responded back without a fraction of hesitation. "Yes."

"Well, you're absolutely right," I managed to say without an ounce of shame on my face.